Mother-in-law suites are excellent additions for California homeowners looking to take care of aging relatives. Whether attached to a home or not, these properties give everyone their separate dwelling unit, keeping family close by yet still providing each with their own independent space. If you’re interested in adding an in-law suite to your home in the San Jose area, continue reading to learn about the different types available, benefits, costs, how the building process works, and more.

What is a Mother-in-Law Suite?

A mother-in-law suite is a secondary living space that’s been added to your main property, designed as a separate home for your in-laws. It’s a perfect solution for those who need a bit of extra space to support their parents during difficult times. In California, in-law suites may be more commonly referred to as accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. Mother-in-law suites differentiate themselves from other home additions like a guest room for example because these units must be permanent, fully functional living spaces, complete with a kitchen, bathroom, plumbing, sleeping area, and foundations.

What are the laws and regulations to build a mother-in-law suite? Check out this blog!

Who Can Live in Mother-in-Law Suites?

Though in-law is in its name, really anyone can reside in these suites. They are versatile and flexible structures that can be whatever you need them to be for your current living situation.

For example, they are great options for young adults who cannot afford their own place but want independence. You may also choose to downsize your own place of residence and live in the secondary property yourself.

Different Types of Mother-in-Law Suites

If you’re wondering ‘can I build a mother-in-law suite on my property?’ The answer is YES. There are four different types of ads available in California: detached, attached, garage conversion, and interior.

These freestanding homes are the most independent, and the most valuable ADU investment. Detached mother-in-law suites come with their own utility hookups and plumbing lines and are often built with their own entrance too.

These units share a wall with the primary residence, keeping you closer to the family. It still has its own utility hookups and foundations, but there is no internal entrance from the main house into the suite.

You can take your garage and convert it into a detached, attached, or an interior suite. The only requirement is it must be a fully functional living space.

This type of living accommodation is the most integrated into the home. Interior units are fully operational living spaces, complete with everything a resident would need to function independently. Examples include basement or attic apartments.

Working with a custom home builder gives you the opportunity to explore different mother in law suite floor plans, customizing the different living areas and selecting the overall interior design.

Benefits of Mother-in-Law Suites

There are many reasons why building an in-law suite is to your benefit. Whether it’s the uncertain economy, the California housing crisis, or global health concerns, there is significant value in keeping your family close to home.

It is an ideal space to help care for your parents or in-laws as they get older. Housing in California is expensive and so is supported living. Stay close to your aging family members and save on commute time and money from not having to buy an additional home.

This is a convenient housing option for both parties. These units provide access between both your place and your parents or in-laws place that would be much more limited otherwise. It’s a bonding opportunity that joins everyone in ways that separate houses simply cannot do.

Adding a mother-in-law suite is a great way to receive extra support for your parents and for your own family. With these units, you get another person to help around the house when you need it, and your parents or in-laws get to spend more time with the grandkids!

A busy life can often get in the way of finding time to spend with family. This type of living arrangement makes it easier to schedule regular visits with your in-laws or parents, plus your grandparents can also play a more active role in their grandchildren’s lives.

It’s been studied that older adults who live with their adult children or grandchildren tend to have lower rates of anxiety and depression. They have a greater likelihood of being happier and healthier than those who live alone.

It opens a whole new window of opportunities for families to find a housing solution that works for them. You can create a unit that’s designed to support your parents’ current needs and renovate accordingly to address additional needs in the future.

Cost of Mother-in-Law Suites

There are a couple of factors that impact the cost of building a mother-in-law suite in California. For starters, what type of suite are you building? An addition/conversion will be cheaper, as you’re not adding an entire structure as you do with detached suites. Size and layout affect costs as well such as a 20×20 mother-in-law suite. Just like primary residences, these suites are built per square foot—the larger the suite you build, the higher the expense.

The features you choose are also going to contribute to expenses such as lighting fixtures, appliances, plumbing, or handrails or ramps in the bathroom.

Other local factors in your area can further inflate prices, but the average costs for both an attached or detached mother-in-law suite in California is anywhere between $40,000 to $150,000.

How to Improve Safety of Mother-in-Law Suites

Tips for

If you’re considering this type of living arrangement for your loved ones to age in place, then safety, and specifically accessibility, is going to be a top priority of the structure. You’re going to want to build your in-law suite adjacent to the main floor of your home, so stairs won’t be necessary to access it.

Other safety features you may want to think about adding to the unit are smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, an intercom system, non-slip flooring, good lighting, and handrails in the bathrooms and hallways.

Building a Mother-in-Law Suite

Are you still unsure if this home renovation project is the right fit for you? Consider the following tips:

  • Get Approved Ahead of Time: As with any major home improvement project, you want to start as early as possible. But when is a good time to start planning? If you have a deadline of when your in-laws are going to move in, begin working months before then. You’ll have to get your project validated, understand your budget, secure financing, and get approval to start the building. Before you break ground, make sure all your paperwork and plans have been assessed by our professionals at Top Home Builders.
  • Find a Reliable Team of Contractors: It’s best to leave building a mother-in-law suite to the professionals. Since these are fully functioning units, this means there are electricity, water, and structural integrity standards that must be met for it to be a proper and safe home. Look for skilled contractors like the ones at Top Home Builders. We know the required regulations to create an ADU and have proven experience with successful in-law apartment construction. 

Start Building Your Mother-In-Law Suite Today

If you have loved ones whose health is declining, you wouldn’t mind having extra hands around to help with your kids, or you’d like to add a rental unit to your property, then a mother-in-law suite might be right for you. We’re ADU experts, specializing in designing and building personalized in-law suites. Contact us today so we can start discussing the plans for your home in San Jose, California.

Contact Us